Skin Care Product Lines: How Do You Choose?

 

This blog is for those of you who are either doing booth rent and/or who will work for a place that allows you to choose the product line. Even if you aren't in charge of picking the skin care line, it is a good idea to be knowledgeable with at least a couple lines.

 It can be a daunting task because sometimes one line doesn't always meet all of your spa's needs, but you might not have the choice to do two skin care lines. Why can't I have both skin care lines if I can't decide? There is a thing called a BUDGET, and sometimes the budget doesn't allow that financial wiggle room. In choosing my line, I had seriously considered Bioelements. I could have started off with a very basic starter kit for $599-$700(with some retail) and then their full back bar with retail was $3,699.00. It seems like a lot of money but products add up quickly. The other skin care line I had on my second list was Image Skin Care, it also has a back bar kit that can cost upwards of a couple thousand dollars for everything you need to get started.

 

Before I could decide, I needed to understand the spa market of my new place of employment. Many of their clients desire organic services while there is another group that is focused on pampering and anti-aging. Both product lines, Bioelements and Image work well with this customer base, but I couldn't decide.It was very hard to decide between two lines that I loved so much. One of the deciding factors also was the fact that this is one of the top 20 richest towns in the U.S. and these customers expect high quality products that show visible changes in their skin.It was really hard to choose because I love both lines, and both have some great products, but neither line really had everything I wanted.

In the end, I decided on Image Skin Care for the exceptional, high quality skin-changing properties  and the outstanding customer service, and ease of ordering piece-by-piece. With Image, I don't have to order an entire backbar which saves money because we are not doing certain facials (like acne-no customer base for that one) and we are not offering any chemical peels, except for one organic peel. In addition, Image doesn't require the esthetician to meet with the sales rep before doing an order, and each facial protocol is labeled in their manual with the exact recommended price ranges of the treatments, and the cost to the esthetician to perform it.The beauty of working with Image Skin Care is you can order only what you need as opposed to a full back bar, and you can add or delete treatments at anytime without wasting a lot of product purchased in a full backbar.

Esthetics Interview: How I Prepared for the Interview

Many of my followers know that I am in the process of moving, and with that relocation comes the dreaded job search! I had been looking on the Internet for that perfect job for some time now, but there weren't a lot of esthetics' jobs that were a right fit for me. I looked for an esthetics' position that spoke to me, one that I knew I would be really good at and one that would inspire me. Some of you are probably scratching your heads right about now and wondering if it matters if the esthetics' job inspires you when it is a job. It really depends on your outlook, if you are fresh out of school you might want to take the first job that comes along, but that doesn't mean at any point in your esthetics' career you shouldn't look for the right fit. You might have to take something temporarily even if it isn't your dream job because you have have bills to pay. It doesn't hurt though to try to find yourself and where you want to be within esthetics, and find that match between your needs and the employer's needs.

 

My recent interview is a 360 degree turn around for me. My last job was a clinical position, and it was a NO FRILLS type of place. I had no choice in the skin care lines, my hours or any of the specials they ran. I had no creative input at all, it was like being an esthetics robot. I still enjoyed working with the customers, but it didn't inspire me. Anyway, I had an opportunity to go on a job interview in one of the top 20 richest communities in the country (I don't live in this town lol) and I ran with it. I knew very little about the spa or the owner, but I got on their website and read about it. I e-mailed her prior to the interview to get more details about her market and customers.

It turns out that she is a holistic massage therapy studio that serves high end customers, and she wants to add esthetics to the list of services. So I compared some of the skin care lines to what her goal is in providing for her customers. She wants to provide mostly organic services with a high end appeal to her wealthy, older clients.

 

I really thought about and studied skin care lines, and what would be good for her. I thought about myself and what value I added to her spa. WHAT I COULD BRING TO THE TABLE? I also spent a lot of time grooming myself before the interview--I picked out a nice, professional outfit and asked others for their opinion. I made sure that I wore makeup, not too heavy but enough to show that I can do makeup as well. My nails were painted, my jewelry was apparent but not gaudy. I made sure to make sure my appearance was top notch, and that I looked like a professional before entering her spa. Upon my arrival, I looked her in the eye and introduced myself and of course my manners were fit for a queen!

 

At the interview, I brought two binders of information from the manufacturers of these skin care lines and I brought samples of several of the products. In addition, I created a menu of services to give her as an example of things that I would think would be good for her spa. Remember, I knew little about her business, but she was delighted that I was so prepared for the interview and that I wanted to make my services truly fit her spa. Instead of just offering facials, I really thought about her spa and what might work. I also had a copy of my esthetics' license, liability insurance and a list of references pre-printed.

 

My interview was over an hour long, and that was certainly positive, but getting hired on the spot was even sweeter! This is the second esthetics' job that I have been offered on the spot, and while I make no claims to be an expert, I believe my experiences can help you. The first owner that hired me on the spot said she hired me because I knew a lot of product lines (from different schools), and at this recent interview, the owner said she hired me because she could see my level of organization and detail, and my passion and love for this field.

 

So this is just my little tidbit about my recent interview, I hope it helps you in your esthetics' career journey. As I embark on this wonderful new opportunity, I will bring you more experiences that I have.

 

 

Eyelash Bars the Next Big Thing?

Lash bars are popping up through cities like wax spas have done in the last few years. Are eyelash bars the next big thing? Is it a good place for newly graduated estheticians?

 

 

I think lash bars can be a fun, hip and funky place to hang your new esthetics license.  Many of these lash bars focus solely on lashes, but some of them include a list of other services like makeup and/or eyebrow tinting.

 

While esthetics graduates can do a lot of different things within the scope of their license, many will find that they are really good at a couple things in esthetics specifically. I remember when I was in school there was a girl who was obsessed (in a good way) with her eyelash extensions, no one every saw this girl without her faux lashes! Of all people, she knew lashes better than anyone because she loved them so much. Yes, I know this would be the perfect esthetics job for my fellow student, and it might be a great fit for many of you.

 

I love how esthetics is branching out into niche areas, and while you can be a esthetics "generalist" there is certainly nothing wrong with breaking out of the mold and specializing in your first love in esthetics--whatever that might be!

 Just be true to you!

 

Tis the Season for Esthetician Graduates

May and June are blooming lots of esthetician graduates. What an exciting adventure for those new students to embrace. Whether you are still a student, or you are a recent graduate, it is never too soon to start networking and planning for your future career. Here are some tips for students and recent graduates:

(1) Before you graduate make contact with several area spas and/or secure an internship or part-time job.

(2) Your resume should have hit the ink press long before you graduate-you should have it reviewed by either your esthetics instructor or a person in the field. Remember, while your other experiences might show you are responsible, most spas are looking for specific spa experience. Include your picture.

(3) Have a list of two to three references ready to hit the print button for those interviews. A great person to have on your list is your instructor...he or she knows your work ethic and skills the best.

(4) Have a professional outfit ready to go for your interview day. Your outfit should be a reflection of the type of spa you are applying for. If you are looking for a Rock & Roll spa a funky, bright colored outfit with your tattoos showing is acceptable, but if you are applying for a Ritz-Carlton job you need to have a business like appearance.

(5) Review your esthetics notes, including vocabulary. Practice your facials and waxing before you interview. An employer might ask you esthetics specific questions, and they might just ask you to perform a facial or waxing on the spot so be prepared. Don't be nervous, remember they might want a free facial LOL!

JumpStart Your Esthetics Career: A Guide For Newly Licensed Estheticians